I have been diagnosed with lymphoma. I’ve been writing a diary about it and have turned it into a blog. Writing it down has helped me to make some sense of things.
Apologies to my FB friends who are a couple of chapters ahead.
Diary of a Lump
by 80 Comments
Blimey Niall, tough gig. Great blog given the subject. Now kick this fecker’s arse. We’re all shooting for you.
Exactly so. A great piece of writing, under the circumstances. And everyone here will be rooting for you.
@fitterstoke Thank you 🙏
@Twang Thank you, mate 🙏
Bloody hell Niall, every bit of good will that I can muster I send to you.
@pencilsqueezer Thank you, my friend 🙏
Sorry to hear you are poorly Niall. If you listen really carefully you’ll be able to hear the sound of much rooting going on here, too. Terrific account of your experience to date. Everybody here will be squeaky-bottomed about the thought of having to go down the same road at some point, and full of admiration for your approach to sharing your steps. You’ve been amazing to get here and we all have our extremities in a tangle for you. Chin up, mate, give it hell.
@Vulpes-Vulpes Thank you, my friend 🙏
Full marks for getting it checked out promptly, and every best wish for your recovery.
@Gatz Thanks.
You got it. Destroy the fucker
@dai Absolutely
All the best, Niall. I trust they’ll do right by you.
@salwarpe Thanks.
Of course. One of the lymphomas has my surname attached to it, so I feel somewhat connected to it, in a strange way, whever it is mentioned.
As said over on that Facebook thing, all the very best.
I know you to be a writer of some ability – is it wrong to say I look forward to your writings on your journey through this thing
(my experience – Dad and Brother – shows NHS can give extraordinary care and focus. Hope all goes to plan)
@Rigid-Digit Thanks mate.
Hearty pat on the shoulder from over here, Niall. Here’s to more of your great writing during, and after, this business.
@TrypF Thanks 🙏
Best wishes to you and Janet, it’s tough on everyone close.
@davebigpicture Thanks. Yes, I’m very lucky to have her with me.
Best wishes, we’ll all be thinking of you
Jesus @niallb what a start to the new year.
So sorry to hear the news but I really admire your fortitude and your positivity that will help you kick this in the arse.
Rooting for you and I know Jan will be a diamond for you.
@SteveT Thanks, Steve.
@Lodestone-of-Wrongness Thanks 🙏
Good luck , you will beat this!
@Bargepole That’s the plan, my friend.
Crikey Niall, what a thing to wake up to. (Me, not you…) Can only wish you all the very best, and those of us round here who have beaten the Big Bastard (not him) look forward to you joining our ranks very soon.
@mikethep Thanks, Mike 🙏
Crikey! Well done for reporting it early, we men have a habit of not doing so…
That was, as ever, a marvellous read. Keep us posted. And good luck.
@fentonsteve Yes, the ‘early’ bit is partly why I’ve done the blog. Thanks for the support.
Wow that kicks all of my relatively trivial worries into touch. Thank you for trusting this community with something so private. And the blog is superbly well written; can’t believe that your wife was taken ill the night before you went in for your tests – as Warren Beatty says wryly in Bonnie and Clyde ‘ain’t life grand’!
Sending you my hopes and wishes for a successful outcome and full recovery.
@Feedback_File Thanks.
Given we are all different people here than we are on fb, let me add my support and goodwill to you, alongside my chum, Mr Og. If he says it should be OK, then I’m not going to argue.
Some of the best writing you’ve ever produced, @niallb
That sounds promising. I presume based on the biopsy result.
Best wishes to you Niall and to Janet. I hope the treatment goes as smoothly as possible. Fingers crossed.
@Tiggerlion Thank you, my friend.
@retropath Thank you, my friend.
All the very best @niallb.
@Paul-Hewtson Thanks 🙏
Wonderful writing at what must be a difficult time. I can only send you my best wishes for a successful outcome.
@Hubert-Rawlinson Thanks 🙏
That’s a tough start to the new year, @niallb, but you’ve dealt with tough situations before and come out on top, so I have no doubt that you’ll get through this one too!
Applause for dealing with it so fast, and more applause for the, as always, excellent writing.
Wishing you and your wife the best, including a brilliant vacation after you’ve beaten this beastly lump!
@Locust Thank you 🙏
I won’t read it @niallb because I had a good friend go through it and I think I’d find too upsetting. Like all on here, I wish you the best in coming out the other side of this. I look forward to your non- illness related writings as they’re always worth reading. I especially enjoyed the series on the studios of London.
@Bamber Thank you 🙏
Sorry to hear that Niall. Best wishes, and well done for creating the blog.
@Hawkfall Thank you 🙏
Jeez, Niallb. What can I add to the above? You’ve generated a wave of empathy from gents who would normally give you a nod and a piece of Army chocolate. We can beat this thing with rock n’ roll. Awesome reportage.
@Vincent Rock ‘n roll cures all. 🙏
When I saw your post I wasn’t sure I wanted to read your blog but I’m glad I did . Well done on spotting it early, getting the ball rolling and having the balls on sharing it on here . It’s a lesson to us all in if you think something’s wrong get it checked out . Good luck with forthcoming treatment and keep us updated.
@Bejesus Thanks for reading it 🙏
I’ll add to the chorus of best wishes, and express my respect to you for not hanging around. It’s already clear that you have strength and determination, so just take this opportunity to see what amazing people there are in the health services, and learn as much as you can.
@Leffe-Gin Thanks 🙏
I concur with all the good wishes here Niall and also the sentiments of smash this fucking fucker. Best of luck in doing so.
@Razor-Boy I shall do my very best 🙏
Hi Niall, have faith and stay positive I wish you well and hope you beat this, peace and love P
@Pyramid Thank you 🙏
I said it on FB Niall. A horrible surprise to have. But your approach to it is not surprising in the slightest. Just brave, admirable and an insightful and moving read. Keep on keeping on.
@Leedsboy Thanks mate. A beer with you us one of those lights at the end of the tunnel🙏
@niallb then we should do it soon. It would be lovely to catch up. And we need to talk about Spurs…..
Wishing you all the best Niall, and with a writer of your ability I’m looking forward to the rest of the diary. Maybe a celebratory curry with the Thames Valley massive at an appropriate time.
@Malc That sounds like a great idea.
Just read your blog Niall. I can only wish you a full recovery and good health thereafter.
@californian Thank you 🙏
@niallb – what godawful fucking luck – so sorry for you
Total respect for your braveness and having the coolness to write such an honest and calm blog post documenting your experience
Sincerely hope you get through this and make a full recovery
@h2triple Thank you 🙏
Sending you the most positive vibes…………
@Lunaman Received 🙏
Sending you my very best wishes for a full recovery Niall.
@John-Walters Thank you 🙏
Well done Niall for writing this brutally frank diary.
I showed this to my wife who works in the NHS and she found it to be such an informative read.
We both send you best wishes for a positive outcome.
@plumb1909 Oh, that’s great feedback, thank you.
Very sorry to hear this news, Niall.
You’re very obviously a lovely, thoughtful human being, and it’s been a pleasure to read your writings over the years.
Wishing you all the best with the path ahead.
@Bingo-Little Bless you, you’ve always been so supportive of my writing. Thanks 🙏
Bloody hell, Niall, I’m sorry to hear about this. As if being a Spurs fan hasn’t made you suffer enough lately…
But as ever, you’re producing a great piece of writing on it – both your posts so far are terrific. I am sure it’s helping you to work your way through this but it’s also really heartening to read such lovely stuff about the expertise and attention of the NHS staff you’ve encountered to date.
Very best wishes for the next stage, and for a fabulous trip to New Zealand next year.
@Blue-Boy Thanks 🙏 Spurs will always bring me back down to earth.
Late to the party as always, but wishing you all the very best for a full recovery and smooth sailing on the journey to it.
@Chrisf There was no time on the party invitation, Chris. Thanks for the support 🙏
Wishing you a speedy recovery belatedly.
@moseleymoles Thank you 🙏